Devotion
He Is Always There
Chipo Biti
There were many times were God was hurt by the actions of His people. The Old Testament is filled with instances where the Israelites turned away from God and tried to do their own thing. They gave in to idols, worshipping other gods and turning their backs on God, who saved them from slavery, peril and death. They spoke against God. They lost faith in Him.
I want you to try and imagine how you would feel if your child turned his or her back on you and chose to follow someone else. After everything you've done for them, they chose to ignore all of that, speak against you, and wander away. You would be heartbroken. This was how God felt. People often emphasize on His anger and make Him sound as if He were a ruthless God. God was so far away from rage and ruthlessness. It pained Him to watch His people turn their backs on Him.
God is not a forceful God. He will always let you make your choices - even if they are contrary to His will. He is not in the business of trying to force you into following His will. He has never been like that and He never will be.
Despite the great amount of pain the children of Israel caused Him, God did not waver in His love for them. Whenever the Israelites found themselves in troubling situations, they would turn to God for help and cry out to Him. God would never throw their mistakes in their faces. He wouldn't lord His authority over them. He never shamed them.
God had every reason to turn on the children of Israel but He never did. His love for them remained, no matter what they did to Him. When the Israelites would cry out for help, God was swift to help them. He delivered the Israelites from many troubles they landed themselves in. God knew that they would turn their back on Him over and over again but not once did He cease to love them.
Prayer
It is the same for us. Regardless of the number of times we mess up, God's love for us will always remain. He will be there to guide us. He will be there to cheer us on when we are doing well. He will be there to lift us out of the messes we create.
God promised to never leave us or forsake us and He has every intention to keep that promise.
Devotion
All Have Sinned
Frances Taylor
We might try to deny it, but we have all sinned. And as Paul says, we fall short of the glory of God. There is nothing we can do to earn eternal life in heaven. Even to think that it is in our power to do so, is considered presumption. Only someone divine can redeem us, and only someone who is human and has free will and can choose to do so. In other words, only Jesus who is both human and divine is able to do so. Our responsibility is to accept this gift with gratitude and humility. We show our gratitude by following Jesus and living lives based on love. We show our humility by recognizing that all we have is gift. We are expected to use our gifts for the good of others, to develop them to the best of our ability and to say thank you. No one deserves God's love or forgiveness more than another. No one deserves his or her giftedness more than another. In fact, Jesus tells us that we must care for the poor and the vulnerable. So if you or I have more...
Morning Prayer
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Inspiration
Thanks to Jesus Christ, we are no longer strangers or foreigners to the word of God. We have been accepted into God's family, being identified as His children. The Bible even takes it further to define us as "Born of God". That is how deep our identity in Christ runs – we are coheirs with Him. We no longer live in isolation, being subject to the wiles of the enemy. We are safe in the Father's arms, for the rest of the days of our lives and beyond.
Prayer
Dear God, I am thankful because I am a part of your family, now. Lord, I am grateful that the enemy can never do anything that will pluck me out of your hands. This salvation is eternal and always here to stay. Father, thank you for loving me so much, when I should have been ...
Night Prayer
But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
Inspiration
As sinners, we feel unworthy of salvation. We observe Calvary and tremble. Christ endured incredible pain for our deliverance when our thoughts and actions are undeserving. Our Creator sees past our sinful nature and into the depths of our hearts. He loves us beyond our understanding and spared no cost to rid our souls of the sin that separates us. We are thankful for His unconditional love and perseverance. We remain humbled by Christ's selfless act!
Prayer
Dear Lord, Thank You for Your ultimate sacrifice. You see our hearts in a way we cannot, and we are beyond grateful for Your mercy. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
